Gaskets & Gasket Materials
SPIRAL WOUND GASKETS
A spiral wound gasket is a type of gasket used to create a seal between two surfaces, typically in piping systems carrying fluids or gases under pressure. It's designed to withstand high temperatures, pressures, and varying conditions. Here's how it's constructed and why it's effective:
Construction: A spiral wound gasket consists of several components:
A metallic winding (usually stainless steel) in a V-shaped or W-shaped profile.
Filler material, often graphite or PTFE (Teflon), which fills the space between the windings.
Inner and outer rings made of solid metal (typically carbon steel or stainless steel) that act as centers for the winding and provide additional strength and stability.
Functionality: When the gasket is compressed between two flanges, the metal windings deform to fill any irregularities on the flange surfaces, while the filler material provides a seal. The inner and outer rings prevent over-compression of the windings and help maintain the gasket's shape and integrity under pressure.
Benefits:
Versatility: Spiral wound gaskets can be used in a wide range of applications, including high-temperature and high-pressure environments.
Resilience: The metallic winding provides strength and resilience, while the filler material ensures a tight seal, even in conditions with varying temperatures and pressures.
Durability: They are durable and can withstand mechanical stress, thermal cycling, and chemical exposure better than some other types of gaskets.
Applications: Spiral wound gaskets are commonly used in industries such as oil and gas, petrochemical, power generation, and chemical processing where reliable sealing is critical to prevent leaks and ensure system integrity.
Overall, spiral wound gaskets offer a combination of strength, flexibility, and reliability, making them a popular choice for sealing applications in demanding environments.
EXCHANGER GASKETS
A heat exchanger gasket is a sealing component used in heat exchangers to prevent leakage of fluids between different sections of the exchanger. Heat exchangers are devices designed to transfer heat between two or more fluids, often without the fluids coming into direct contact with each other. These gaskets play a crucial role in maintaining the efficiency and integrity of the heat exchanger by sealing the gaps and joints where the fluids flow.
The gaskets are typically made from materials that can withstand high temperatures and pressures, as well as resist corrosion from the fluids being exchanged. Common materials used for heat exchanger gaskets include rubber, synthetic polymers, metals like stainless steel, and composite materials.
Heat exchanger gaskets come in various designs, such as flat gaskets, spiral-wound gaskets, and metal-jacketed gaskets, each suited for different types of heat exchangers and operating conditions. They are essential components that ensure the safe and efficient operation of heat exchange systems in various industries, including HVAC systems, chemical processing, power generation, and food and beverage production.
METAL MATERIALS AVAILABLE
CARBON STEEL
304 STAINLESS
316 STAINLESS
321 STAINLESS
347 STAINLESS
MONEL
COPPER
INCONEL
TITANIUM
NICKEL 200
FACING MATERIALS AVAILABLE
FLEXIBLE GRAPHITE
APX2 FLEXIBLE GRAPHITE
MICA
XHR
PTFE
COMPRESSED FIBER SHEET
A compressed fiber gasket sheet is a type of gasket material made from fibers that are compressed and bonded together with a binder material. These gasket sheets are used to create seals in a wide range of applications where resistance to high temperatures, pressures, and chemicals is required.
Here are some key points about compressed fiber gasket sheets:
Material Composition: Compressed fiber gasket sheets are typically made from a blend of natural fibers (such as cellulose, aramid, or graphite) and synthetic fibers (such as glass or carbon fibers). These fibers are combined with a binder material, which may be rubber, nitrile, or other polymers.
Compression and Bonding: During manufacturing, the fiber and binder mixture is compressed under high pressure and heat to form a dense and uniform sheet. This compression process creates a material with good mechanical strength and resilience.
Properties: Compressed fiber gasket sheets exhibit properties such as high temperature resistance, chemical resistance (depending on the type of fibers and binder used), excellent sealability, and durability. They are often used in applications where the gasket must withstand aggressive fluids, steam, oils, and gases.
Types: There are various types of compressed fiber gasket sheets available, each designed for specific operating conditions. For example, some sheets are suitable for low-pressure applications, while others are engineered for high-pressure and high-temperature environments.
Applications: Compressed fiber gasket sheets are commonly used in industries such as oil and gas, petrochemical, automotive, power generation, and aerospace. They are used in sealing flanges, valves, pumps, and other equipment where a reliable and long-lasting seal is required.
Overall, compressed fiber gasket sheets are valued for their versatility, resilience, and ability to provide effective sealing solutions in demanding industrial environments.
Four States Gasket & Rubber offers Garlock compressed sheets: Bluegard® 3000, Bluegard® 3200, Bluegard® 3300, Bluegard® 3400, Bluegard® 3700, Multiswell® 3760, G9900, and more.
Four States Gasket & Rubber offers Klinger Thermoseal sheets: KLINGERSIL® C-4300, KLINGERSIL® C-4401
PTFE PRODUCTS
PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene) sealing products are components made from PTFE material and used to create effective seals in various applications. PTFE is a synthetic fluoropolymer known for its excellent chemical resistance, low friction coefficient, high temperature tolerance, and non-stick properties. Here are some common PTFE sealing products:
PTFE Gaskets: PTFE gaskets are used to create a tight seal between two mating surfaces, such as flanges or fittings. They are often used in applications where chemical resistance and high temperatures are critical, such as in chemical processing, pharmaceutical, and food industries.
PTFE Seals: PTFE seals, also known as PTFE O-rings or PTFE lip seals, are used to prevent leakage of fluids or gases in dynamic sealing applications. They are designed to withstand high pressures, extreme temperatures, and aggressive chemicals, making them suitable for use in pumps, valves, and hydraulic systems.
PTFE Tape: PTFE tape, also called plumber's tape or thread seal tape, is a thin tape made from PTFE material. It is commonly used to seal threaded pipe connections and fittings, providing a tight and leak-free seal. PTFE tape is resistant to chemicals and can withstand a wide range of temperatures.
PTFE Coated Gaskets: These gaskets are coated with a layer of PTFE to enhance their sealing properties. The PTFE coating provides additional chemical resistance and helps reduce friction during assembly and disassembly of flanged connections.
Overall, PTFE sealing products are widely used in industries where reliable sealing solutions are required for challenging operating conditions, such as high temperatures, corrosive environments, and aggressive chemicals.
ePTFE PRODUCTS
Expanded PTFE (Polytetrafluoroethylene) sealing products are specialized components made from PTFE material that has been expanded to create a highly compressible and flexible sealing material. This expansion process involves stretching PTFE sheets or tapes, which results in a material with unique properties suitable for sealing applications. Here are some common expanded PTFE sealing products:
Expanded PTFE Gaskets: These gaskets are designed to provide a tight and reliable seal between two mating surfaces, such as flanges. Expanded PTFE gaskets have excellent conformability and can adapt to irregular or damaged sealing surfaces, making them suitable for a wide range of flanged connections in industries like chemical processing, pharmaceuticals, and food production.
Expanded PTFE Joint Sealant: This is a flexible tape or cord made from expanded PTFE material. It is used to create custom seals for irregularly shaped or oversized flanges, valves, and other equipment. Expanded PTFE joint sealant is easy to install and provides a leak-free seal even in demanding environments with high pressures and temperatures.
Expanded PTFE Sheets: These sheets are made from expanded PTFE material and are used for creating large-scale gaskets or seals. They are available in various thicknesses and sizes to suit different sealing applications, including heat exchangers, pumps, and piping systems. Expanded PTFE sheets offer excellent chemical resistance, thermal stability, and durability.
Expanded PTFE Tape: Similar to standard PTFE tape, expanded PTFE tape is used for sealing threaded pipe connections and fittings. However, expanded PTFE tape has the advantage of being highly compressible, allowing it to conform tightly to threads and create a reliable seal. It is resistant to chemicals, gases, and high temperatures.
Expanded PTFE sealing products are favored in industries where flexibility, chemical resistance, and high-performance sealing capabilities are crucial. They offer advantages such as excellent conformability, resistance to creep and cold flow, and compatibility with a wide range of fluids and gases.
FLEXIBLE GRAPHITE PRODUCTS
Flexible graphite gasket sheets are sealing materials composed primarily of graphite flakes bonded together with a flexible binder material. These sheets are used to create gaskets that provide reliable seals in various applications, particularly in environments where high temperatures, pressures, and chemical resistance are required. Here are key points about flexible graphite gasket sheets:
Composition: Flexible graphite gasket sheets are primarily made of graphite, a form of carbon known for its excellent thermal conductivity and chemical resistance. The graphite flakes are typically combined with a flexible binder material, such as rubber, resin, or metal foil, to enhance their compressibility and sealability.
Structure: The structure of flexible graphite gasket sheets allows them to conform tightly to mating surfaces, filling irregularities and creating a tight seal. The sheets may be reinforced with metal inserts or wire mesh for added strength and stability.
Properties: Flexible graphite gasket sheets exhibit properties such as high temperature resistance, typically up to several thousand degrees Fahrenheit, making them suitable for use in applications involving steam, gases, and high-temperature fluids. They also offer excellent chemical resistance, low creep relaxation, and good compressibility, allowing them to maintain seals under varying pressures.
Types: There are different types of flexible graphite gasket sheets available, including plain sheets, reinforced sheets with metal inserts or wire mesh, and corrugated sheets for applications requiring flexibility and conformability.
Applications: Flexible graphite gasket sheets are used in a wide range of industries, including petrochemical, refining, power generation, aerospace, and manufacturing. They are commonly used in sealing flanges, heat exchangers, pumps, valves, and other equipment where reliable sealing is critical.
Installation: Flexible graphite gasket sheets are typically cut to size and installed between mating flanges or components. They can be used in various shapes and configurations, including flat gaskets, spiral wound gaskets, and custom-cut gaskets, depending on the application requirements.
Overall, flexible graphite gasket sheets are valued for their ability to provide durable and effective seals in demanding environments, offering thermal stability, chemical resistance, and sealing performance across a wide range of industrial applications.
